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August 25, 2016

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There may only be one killer, but no one is innocent in this new thriller from Natasha Preston, author of The Cellar and Awake.

When Mackenzie treks to a secluded cabin in the woods with six friends, she expects a fun weekend of partying, drinking, and hookups. But when they wake to find two of their own dead and covered in blood, it's clear there's a killer among them.

As the police try to unravel the case, Mackenzie launches her own investigation. Before long secrets start to emerge, revealing a sinister web of sins among the original seven friends. The killer is still free. Every one of them is a suspect. And Mackenzie starts to realize that no one is innocent…

I closed my eyes. When you open your eyes, you’ll see something different. With my heart in my throat, I cracked one eye open. The image didn’t change. There was so much blood. Courtney and Josh were still lying motionless on the floor.

Megan let out a high–pitched scream that didn’t sound like it belonged to a human.

This isn’t real. I’m dreaming. I have to be dreaming.

“Courtney,” I whispered again, my voice drowning in a sea of Megan’s sobs and screams. “Josh!”

They didn’t answer. My mind reeled. How? Who? Why? My body was ice–cold from the shock. My fingers gripped the counter, nails digging into the wooden countertop. I couldn’t move. I was frozen in place. I couldn’t look away.

Oh God. Oh God. Do something! Help them!

Aaron dropped to his knees. His arms hovered over Josh as if he wanted to touch him but was too scared. “Shit,” he spat. “Someone do something! Call an ambulance!”

It looked too late for that. Courtney’s once–red lips were a pale pink, and her skin was dull and gray. A stream of dried blood stretched from her ear to the floor.

My pulse drilled.

They’re dead. They’re dead! No, no, no, no!

I dropped to my knees, ignoring the bickering over what to do going on behind me.

This isn’t happening.

Courtney’s eyes were closed, just like she was sleeping. Maybe she wasn’t dead. Maybe my best friend had a chance. If I could get her to open her eyes, she would be OK. Everything will be OK, I repeated in my head on a loop.

“Court, wake up.” I reached out and brushed her red hair from her face. She hated when her bangs fell in her face like that. Where was help? “We need an ambulance right now. Someone call for help. We need help,” I rambled. Someone had to wake her up. “She needs help. Someone help her! Please! Oh my God, help her!”

I heard someone drop beside me. “Kenzie?” It was Megan. “She’s gone, Kenz. We need to… I don’t know.” She pulled my arm. I thought my legs would collapse, but somehow I had the strength to stand.

“Who did this?” I sobbed, pressing my hand to my mouth, gagging. Stop looking! I didn’t want to see this terror, so why couldn’t I stop looking?

Kyle spun around. “She’s right. Where is he? Or they?”

Dread settled heavy in my stomach. Were their killers still in the house?

Blake gulped, staring at his brother’s face. Josh’s eyes were still open but had rolled back slightly. He looked how I always imagined a dead body would look. “Where’s who?” he whispered.

“The bastard who just murdered our friends!” Aaron spat in reply.

They wouldn’t still be here, surely? No one was stupid enough to do something this horrible and hang around. They couldn’t be. But what if they are?

About Natasha Preston

UK native Natasha Preston grew up in small villages and towns. She discovered her love of writing when she shared a story online—and hasn’t looked back since. She enjoys writing romance, thrillers, gritty YA, and the occasional serial killer.